celestial body

noun

variants: or less commonly celestial object

plural celestial bodies also celestial objects

Definition of celestial body

: an aggregation of matter in the universe (such as a planet, star, or nebula) that can be considered as a single unit (as for astronomical study) But many scientists began seriously rethinking their notions of the solar system in 1992, when we identified a small celestial body—just a few hundred kilometers across—sited farther from the sun than any of the known planets.— Jane X. Luu et al. As the observer looks at a star or other celestial body its light rays pass through a single point on the earth's surface. — Dutton's Navigation and Piloting, 14th edition A black hole forms when a star or other celestial object collapses under the pull of its own gravity.— Mary Durack Miller

— called also heavenly body

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Last Updated

18 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Celestial body.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/celestial%20body. Accessed 15 Jun. 2021.

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